Ron DeSantis suspends Democrat state attorney Monique Worrell for 'neglecting' duty to prosecute crime

Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended the state's lone elected Black circuit prosecutor on Wednesday.

DeSantis' office announced it had suspended Monique Worrell, whose 9th Judicial District, covered Orange and Osceola counties, for "neglecting her duty to faithfully prosecute crime in her jurisdiction."

"Worell's practices and policies have too often allowed violent criminals to escape the full consequences of their criminal conduct, thereby endangering the innocent civilians of Orange and Osceola counties," a statement from the governor's office said.

Orange County judge Andrew Bain, who is also Black, was named as Worrell's replacement.

Worell said that she would contest the suspension in court and run to be re-elected to the position.

"I am your duly elected state attorney and nothing done by a weak dictator can change that," she said.

Worrell had been under fire by conservatives and some in Central Florida law enforcement officials for not bringing more significant charges against defendants in high-profile shooting cases.

DeSantis had cited the example of two Orlando police officers being shot by Daton Viel, who was out on bail for a child rape case. Worrell called a news conference several days later to deflect claims that it was her fault that Viel was free at the time.

"It is my duty as governor to ensure that the laws enacted by our duly elected Legislature are followed," DeSantis said in a statement. "The people of Central Florida deserve to have a state attorney who will seek justice in accordance with the law instead of allowing violent criminals to roam the streets and find new victims."

DeSantis had targeted Worrell for some time, with his general counsel demanding her to turn over emails, reports and documents related to a 19-year-old man accused of killing three people in Orlando, including a television reporter back in February.

He earlier blamed her for the shooting spree of Keith Moses who was on probation for another crime before his suspected incident.

Worrell in April called DeSantis's focus on here a "witch hunt."

"This is absolutely disgusting -- State Attorney Monique Worrell is a duly elected official and the only Black woman serving as State Attorney in Florida right now," Florida Democratic State Rep. Anna Eskamani said. "Her removal is a complete slap in the face to Orange and Osceola County residents and another example of Governor DeSantis eroding our local control and democracy."